Run day today...yippee!! Yep, still excited about the training and running days. Could be that I am actually taking a liking to this running thing again. Today it was just a cool 50 degrees and very windy. Fortunately, I took off for my run today with a sweatshirt on which definitely was needed. The wind was at my face on the way out and I was hoping it would be at my back on the way back home since I was running sort of a loop, I wasn't exactly sure if it would be or not. It was, and it made the last 2 miles seem a little easier for me.

The issue I had today was my Nike Plus transmitter that goes in my shoe wasn't working properly. First of all I wear New Balance shoes and not the specially made Nike+ shoes that have the cut out in the sole for the little bugger to go. But, I have purchased a nice specially made silicone holder that attaches to my laces and I have a previously purchased (older) velcro pouch for my other running shoes. Well, today I wanted to use my other NB shoes since it was my second 4+ mile run and they provide a little more cushioning than my NB Zips. I placed the little transmitter in the velcro pouch, attached it to my laces and off I went on my run. Lucky for me I checked my pace at about .25 miles and it said 0.00. It was not receiving the data. I messed with it, tightened it, moved it around and it worked. Well, for about 2 seconds. Needless to say I trucked back home switched to the other pair of shoes with the silicone holder and started up again and it worked fine. My other thought was that the battery was dead since it is a 3 year old transmitter. I think my next purchase will be another transmitter and another silicone holder for my second pair of running shoes. Then, a new pair of running shoes to get me through training.

Ok, so the kicker.....after I was back at home and uploaded my data, I realized something. I just crossed the point of training where my mileage per run is more than what I used to run on a regular basis 2 years and prior. I always used to run 3.5 miles 3 to 4 times a week. Today I ran 4.25 miles, probably 4.50 if you count the equipment issue in the beginning. I also ran 4.5 miles on Monday which means I have logged two runs in a row over 4 miles. I am very excited that I have reached this level and look forward to bumping it up another notch on Saturday with my long run, then next weeks runs at 4.5 each run, Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

So, now for a couple little things that are popping up and one other thought I pondered on my way up the final hill to my home.

First the one other thought as I approached the last turn and could see my house.....

1. When I reach the ability to run a marathon, I will be able to successfully run todays route 6 times...HOLY ?&*!, crap, !#%!, !@$", ...ok, a half would be 3 times, let's just focus on that for a bit...that is a much more foreseeable goal at this point. Whew....I just about yacked when I thought about that at first. But then, slow gains each week will bring up my endurance level and in a few weeks, the half may be reached and then the full 6 times will look as the half does today...ya, that's it, that's the ticket, see no biggie..........yack!bleh. Damn, that still is a long way to get to Marathon. What was Pheidippides thinking on his way to Marathon, and why did everyone think they should repeat it again????

and, the other things......

2. I never understood why runners always said they have black toes. Today I think I might realize why. As I was nearing the end of my run, my two middle toes on my right foot began to rub against each other or thats at least what it felt like. In fact they still hurt a little bit now. Now wouldn't this be because your feet flatten as you run spreading your foot and if the toe box of your shoes don't have enough space they get crammed in there? That is basically what it felt like. I think for my next pair of shoes I will have them fitted properly so I know that other issues won't creep up on me like this one. I can't imagine how that would feel after 26.2 miles, let alone hurting at the 4 mile mark.

3. The other minor issue is the outside of my right knee. It is just slightly below the kneecap but only on the right side. I did make some changes from concrete to pavement to grass a few times today and was wondering if I may have twisted it. I didn't notice it while running and for now am hoping that tomorrow being a rest day will allow it to start feeling better. Any suggestions on this or the toe issue would be appreciated.

So, for this afternoon and evening....the wife and I went on a lunch date to a Chicago style pizza place and had a chopped salad and deep dish pizza loaded with veggies. YUM! We shared a game of scrabble on my iphone while waiting the 30 minutes for the pizza to cook to perfection in the pizza oven and had a very nice time together while the kids were in school. It is nice to be able to take a few minutes just for yourselves when you can and we have tried to make that a priority recently. It is very enjoyable, thanks for the date dear, I love you!

On the way home we stopped at a store that was advertising openings so I could inquire about a Management position and picked up an application after talking to the HR rep. I took it home and filled it out and returned in an hour with my resume, professional biography and application in hand. They are supposedly reviewing applications this Friday when the Store Manager returns and are to get back to me early next week...This particular employer makes me feel good and actually took the time to talk for a bit which is nice. Since so many people are out looking for work, it has been tough getting a phone call let alone the ability to talk to the H.R. employee. Well, I am hoping for the best and making the most out of each day in regards to a position. Be it talking to past business contacts, applying online for positions and through word of mouth. The biggest piece of this is to never lose hope and stay positive in the search and that is what I intend to do.....LIVESTRONG!

Friday!!!! I remember the days while working full-time that you couldn't wait for Friday. I'm sure many of you reading this may be filling the same way. Since I do work p/t on Friday's I am happy about that and I look forward to going to my p/t job each and every day. I will eventually tell you more about that and how that position is also helping people and of all things their pets. (whole other story).

Anyway, right now I still look forward to Friday's. Why? I look forward to this day for several reasons.

1. It means that I will be able to spend the time with my whole family over the weekend.

2. It means that I will be able to run today and also that tomorrow is my long run! I can't wait.

3. It means that I will complete another step in the training towards my goal.

4. It means that I didn't quit and I am still on the track to success.

5. It means that I feel better about myself, my health, my life, and my progress to this point.

6. It means that I have most likely made connections with others who have the same interests..I have.

7. It means that I have taken steps towards obtaining another full time job.

I could probably go on and on, but you probably see the point. I have accomplished things this week that normally some people wouldn't recognize as accomplishments. Each step of my process is another step towards reaching the long term goal. Little steps get you to where you are going and that is my plan. My plan is to reduce the chance of failure. Actually to eliminate it. Also to reduce the chance of injury and of any delays to my program by following my training and if necessary repeating a week to make sure that I am at the level to complete the next step in the process.

So, I have been really looking forward to today. After work I plan to run my 2.5 miles and then rest up spending time with family this evening and preparing for my long run tomorrow.

I wish all of you luck in your training programs and hope that you will take a look at my donation page. I recently updated the information and am now donating 75% of all donations to the Lance Armstrong foundation. Who will be the first to donate and help us stomp out cancer? Who will join me on this quest to improve our health? Maybe its your first run, your first mile, your first 5K, 10K, Half, or Marathon.

Up to my quest my longest run was 7.5 miles. I WILL pass that in about 2 to 3 weeks during my long run and that to me is going to be a milestone worth celebrating. Find something each day to celebrate. Each run should be a celebration of health, improvement and SUCCESS!

"Early to bed, early to rise, makes one healthy, wealthy and wise"....or so it went years ago. Now I think we must add a few other requirements to this short little quote that my parents used to say as I protested going to bed at 8 pm as a child. Don't take this wrong, if you can get to bed early, good for you. Rest is an extremely important component to our overall health and well being. However, if you are anything like me or my family getting the proper "rest" is sometimes the most difficult thing to accomplish.

As I have learned since having our first child in 1996, you really don't sleep like you did before you had kids. I mean from day one your new baby is training you as a mom and dad to wake up every so often to feed, change, and put back to sleep the new addition to the family. Now with a family filled with 3 children who seem to have endless energy at the ages of 6, 7, and 12, 2 dogs and a cat, I have learned that consistency is the key to keeping everyone sane and under less stress. Consistent scheduling is as important for the life of your kids as it is for your dogs, your job, your meals, your running, your life.

Back in July of 2008 I was let go from a full time job that wasn't so consistent. We had a new owner the year before (July 2007) that had everyone on edge. An outside management "Integration" team was in the offices and seemed to be watching over everyones backs, and all the talk was about what changes were going to be made as this new corporate owner started to run things there way. Jobs started to be lost, friends let go and after a year went by, I was also let go. CHANGE....Change to your life, your income, your family, and the way things have been done.

How we deal with and manage this change is of course very important for our personal stress level and our families. After all, change is something we all deal with everyday and dealing with change or change management is in many Business Management course books. How should we deal with changes that can affect our life in such a dramatic way? Well, I don't have the perfect answer but I do have a plan to deal with it. Although I have learned to live with this change in my life I will always be pursuing a new full time career until I find another full time job. How should I use this new time to better my life, the life of my family and obtain my new goal of finding a job when jobless claims are at all time highs and applications go unanswered? I have found that by being positive or as Lance Armstrong states it to "Livestrong" in your search, no matter what your goal is...is the best approach. For me being positive, living strong has a deeper meaning than just being optimistic. It means seek what you really want in life and go for it with a passion. Show others all that you can be and manage through the time of change just as you did before. Minimizing the change that my family would have was now my goal. Showing my family and others that I can be strong and handle change without change managing me. I know that the less changes and the more consistency I can provide to them, the better off we all will be and the less stress it will be on the family to get through the change. This is why I have decided to run a marathon. I am setting a goal for myself and going for it with a passion. Showing life as well as myself and my family that I am in control and will not fail and will have the consistent training to get me through my period of change.

I am going out there with this same strategy for my marathon training. Consistency will be a key. Going out to run when the weather is good is just as important as running when the weather is horrible. Finding a way to get the training done when obstacle after obstacle pop up. Just like in the work force or in school you find others that are in your similar situation for support and guidance, I am doing the same in my training. Finding others who are also training for a marathon and finding a way through change is important. They can be a huge support helping your reach your goal. They are a very important part of my training and support. Without your "team" on your side it takes double the motivation and triple the determination to reach our goals. Could a CEO lead a successful company without a good team on his side to support his actions? Most likely he wouldn't last a week. Nor would the company. Unfortunately that has been happening a lot lately on the news with large corporate CEO's making thier personal gain more important than the success of the company. That strategy does not work.

In order for you to be successful, your team must also be successful and you must be a leader and learner at the same time. Be consistent, and show consistency to your team. Be open to learn new things from others at your level as well as those below and above your level. Be determined to reach your goal and make it happen no matter what the weather is outside or no matter what obstacle gets in your way. Do not step on others to get to your goal, instead bring others with you and help them reach their goals. Set a plan and stick to it, get up everyday with those dogs and feed them, give them their food and water. Wake up each day with your kids even if you want to sleep in. Show them what it means to be consistent and be a good leader for your family. Help them be successful and reach their goals to be all that they can be. Show them and your family that you can and will reach each goal you set and that it is important to not quit, not let the little things get in the way, but that you can manage around them. Be a success. Be positive. Be yourself. Be thankful, for all the support along the way, and be an example. Livestrong!

After all, getting out there, meeting new people with common goals and networking with others can lead to new directions in life, new opportunities, and potentially,,,,,new careers.

Now after writing this today a 2.5 mile run seems like a walk in the park. I will run today. I will complete the 2.5 miles...and I will have fun doing it. It is my goal for the day, anyone coming along?

This blog is to track my daily thoughts about running. I will list my personal private feelings for the day, maybe talk about the weather and local events and simply the motivational factors on my way to training for the Marathon at Walt Disney.